Many may have already seen it, whether it was during its launch at the recent Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) or at the showroom of the numerous Hyundai dealerships around the Metro. But maybe only a few have actually took the new Hyundai EON for a spin. It is the latest addition to the Hyundai family in the Philippines, an urban 5-door sub compact hatchback fashioned with Euro-inspired sporty curves, a gas-sipping engine, and surprisingly trendy interior with ample cabin space.
So, on a bright Wednesday morning of June 20, forty-three participants, a rich mix of motoring journalists, media personalities and selected Hyundai car club members, arrived at the Hyundai North EDSA dealership for the kickoff of Hyundai’s exclusive 3-day EON test drive and the official local launching of Hyundai’s global LIVE BRILLIANT campaign.
LIVE BRILLIANT is Hyundai’s global campaign aimed to illustrate and inspire a new motoring lifestyle for its customers as they experience the innovative values of Hyundai’s Modern Premium technology and products in their everyday lives.
A brief program welcomed the participants and an orientation with Roadwise Motoring prepared everyone for their journey to Baguio. Participants were to test the EON’s fuel efficiency on long stretches of highway to La Union, its pulling power on the steep inclines of Baguio and its overall comfort and drivability during the whole journey.
DrivE ON up to Baguio
As the sun shone brightly, it was the perfect day for a test drive. Or so it was thought. 20 EONs rolled out from the Hyundai North EDSA Dealership towards the North Luzon Expressway, then to the SCTEX for the first leg: DrivEON Econo Run to their first checkpoint. Participants experienced, firsthand, the spirited agility of the 0.8L Epsilon MPI engine under the hood of the EON. With the power of 56ps/5500rpm, the EON’s Epsilon engine offers an ideal balance of quick acceleration and economy.
EON test drivers take a much awaited break at Isdaan Restaurant in Gerona, Tarlac. EON participants got to break plates and cups onto the famous Tacsiyapo Wall for good, plain fun.
The Econo Run was met with rain and some traffic with ongoing road construction. Reaching the first checkpoint, a pre-selected gas station in Rosario, La Union, each EON was checked and gas consumption was recorded to determine which group got the best fuel savings.
For many, the “most asked” question was: “Can the EON climb up to Baguio?” The EON drivers all proved that the EON could and more. More rain met the caravan on the steep zigzags of the Kennon Road. Participants tested the EON’s pulling power and agility on both smooth roads and some rough patches of unexpected road restoration. And through it all, the EON treated occupants well with amenities such as a strong cool aircon and Integrated Audio System with USB slot & Aux-in for portable music players.
As participants safely reached the country’s summer capital, the caravan proceeded to The Manor at Camp John Hay for some well-deserved R&R. And to cap the first night, the drivers experienced yet another brilliant moment with traditional Igorot performances during dinner.
MovE ON and Explore
Baguio and its famous tourist spots was rediscovered, once more, by participants in a fun and creative way with a photo scavenger hunt contest to find special landmarks and photograph their interpretation of brilliant living with the EON. Both professional and amateur photographers took extra effort in capturing the best angles of this mini hatchback. The honors for choosing the best photos were the very special guests of the evening, Congressman Bernardo Vergara, Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Architect and Photographer, Mr. Aris Go.
GroovE ON the Night Away
Winners of the DrivEON Eco Run:
1.1st Place: Team of Ronnie Trinidad of Kotse.com and Charlie Cruz of Wave 89.1
2.2nd Place: Team Auto Review, Ron Delos Reyes and Ronald Delos Reyes
3.3rd Place: Team of Iñigo Roces of Manila Bulletin and Vince Pornelos of Autoindustriya.com
4.Special Fuel-Efficiency Award: Lindy Pellicer and Tet Andolong of Team Business Mirror
(Top Row, 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th from the left respectively) HARI’s President & CEO, Ms. Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, Congressman Bernardo Vergara, HARI
Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Richard Lee and Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan.
The night gave way to revelry as Hyundai threw a special thanksgiving dinner for the participants for taking part and experiencing the brilliant lifestyle of the EON. Team of Ronnie Trinidad of Kotse.com and Charlie Cruz of Wave 89.1 got the Best Fuel Efficiency Results – 29.361Km/L*, followed by Team Auto Review, Ron Delos Reyes and Ronald Delos Reyes - 28.041Km/L* and Iñigo Roces of Manila Bulletin and Vince Pornelos of Autoindustriya.com – 27.478 Km/L*.
Winning Photos
1st place Extraordinary Life Moment Award
Team Bald and the Brilliant: Iñigo Roces, Eric Tipan, Alan Sevilla and Vince Pornelos
2nd place Outstanding Shot of Brilliance Award
Team Neo: Ruben Manahan, Homer Bautista, Marion Marking and Paulo Vargas
3rd place New Thinker Creativity Award “Radiance through the eyes of Majesty”
Team Top Gear: Mikko David, Paulo Subido, Raynand Olarte and Marlon Dacumos
4th place “Lerma Bulautian Gabito: Brilliant Athlete. Hyundai EON: Brilliant”
Team BAH!: Bam Olivares, Neil Pagulayan, Ulysses Ang and Ira Panganiban
5th place:
CreatEON: Charlie Cruz, Ronnie Trinidad, Eggay Quesada and Kris Lim
*The DrivEON Eco Run took place from Hyundai North EDSA to Caltex La Union via NLEX-SCTEX McArthur Highway for a total distance of 246.4kms.
43 participants from the Motoring Media, bloggers and members of Team Hyundai Philippines Car Club.
